NAU joins statewide drill to test emergency notification system

Faculty and staff who are registered for NAU Alert and do not receive text messages during the test should contact the ITS Solution Center at (928) 523-1511 or Ask-ITS@nau.edu.

Students who are registered and do not receive text messages should contact the Student Technology Center at (928) 523-9294 or ask-stc@nau.edu. The statewide toll-free number is (888) 520-7215.

Northern Arizona University will conduct a semiannual test of its full emergency notification system starting at 3:47 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, as part of the Great Arizona ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake preparedness drill.

The university’s notification system includes text messaging through NAU Alert, priority email, information on the NAU home page, posts on Twitter and Facebook social media sites and a recorded message on the NAU Now Line. Callers may reach the NAU Now Line at (928) 523-0007. The university also will broadcast messages via Blue Emergency Phones throughout campus.

NAU Alert subscribers will receive two texts: one to announce the test and the second to conclude it.

No action is required of individuals during the test. In an emergency, NAU Alert text messages will provide a notification with instruction for action and direct subscribers to the NAU homepage for updates and additional details. Verified information also is provided on NAU’s Twitter feed.

Faculty, staff and students who are not enrolled in NAU Alert may sign up to receive text messages that notify subscribers of emergencies on campus and weather-related closures. Registration is available online for up to two phone numbers per user. Text message and data rates from your mobile phone company may apply.

It was my understanding the Great AZ Shakeout was to prepare for a catastrophic earthquake and that the other universities and communities were joining at 10:17 on 10/17. Is NAU the only university not concerned with community? I know that’s a tough question but what would happen if an earthquake did actually occur during classes? Would we all be prepared?

Hi Lois. This is NAU’s first year participating in this voluntary drill, and is one of two higher education institutions that officially are registered. NAU tests its emergency notification each year, however this is the first time it has been tied to a statewide drill.

The drill website, shakeout.org/arizona, states that participants may hold the drill any time within two weeks of Oct. 17. NAU will hold the drill on Oct. 17 at 3:47 p.m. because Thursday mornings are one of the heaviest class times of the week. With less students in class at the time of the test, more people will be out and about to better measure the effectiveness of the new voice broadcast system on the Blue Light Phones.